Sectorized cell having non-redundant broadband processing unit

Abstract

A technique for converting a non-sectorized cell to a sectorized cell having multiple sectors utilizing a single broadband processing unit. The spectrum of a given frequency band is divided into multiple bands. In the receive path, respective sub-bands are used to convey analog RF signals from a subscriber in respective sectors to an associated transceiver. Each of the transceivers includes a front end for receiving incoming RF signals and an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signal to a digital data stream. The digital data streams from transceivers are combined, and supplied to a single channelizer which, in turn, supplies the data to a TDM bus for transmission to a PSTN network. In the reverse path from the PSTN network, TDM digital data signals emanating from a TDM bus are supplied to a combiner which feeds each of the respective transceivers with appropriate data from the combiner. The transceivers convert the digital signal to analog form. After conversion, power amplifiers associated with the respective sectors effect emission of radiated power in the respective sectors.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A receiver apparatus in a cellular communication system, comprising: 
 an antenna device to sectorize a cell into a plurality of sectors which accommodate a plurality of subchannels, respectively, said plurality of sectors conveying a plurality of analog RF signals, respectively;    a plurality of receiver units to receive said plurality of analog RF signals from said plurality of sectors, respectively, to convert said plurality of analog RF signals to a plurality of digital data streams, respectively, and a structure to combine said plurality of digital data streams into a single digital data stream, and    a single channelizer to receive said single digital data stream, to generate therefrom a digital data signal associated with said plurality of subchannels of said plurality of sectors, and to supply said digital data signal to a bus.    
     
     
         2 . The receiver apparatus according to    claim 1   , wherein said plurality of receiver units are broadband receivers.  
     
     
         3 . A transmitter apparatus in a cellular communication system, comprising: 
 an antenna device to sectorize a cell into a plurality of sectors which accommodate a plurality of subchannels, respectively;    a single combiner to receive a digital data signal representative of subchannel data associated with said plurality of sectors received from a bus, and to generate therefrom a combined digital data signal, and    a plurality of transmitter units each to receive said combined digital data signal from said single combiner, to select from said combined digital data signal said subchannel data associated with said respective plurality of sectors, and to convert said subchannel data into an analog signal for emission.    
     
     
         4 . The transmitter according to    claim 3   , further comprising a plurality of power amplifiers in said plurality of sectors, respectively, to amplify each said analog signal for emission, said plurality of power amplifiers in said plurality of sectors operating at lower power levels than a power amplifier in a non-sectorized cell.  
     
     
         5 . The transmitter unit according to    claim 3   , wherein said plurality of transmitter units each include a digital band pass filter which receives said combined digital data signal from said single combiner and which passes said subchannel data associated with said respective plurality of sectors.  
     
     
         6 . The transmitter unit according to    claim 3   , wherein said plurality of transmitter units are broadband transmitters.  
     
     
         7 . A method for receiving data in a sectorized cell, comprising the steps of: 
 sectorizing a cell into plurality of sectors which accommodate a plurality of subchannels, respectively, said plurality of sectors conveying a plurality of analog RF signals, respectively;    receiving said plurality of analog RF signals from said plurality of sectors, respectively;    converting said plurality of analog RF signals to a plurality of digital data streams, respectively;    combining said plurality of digital data streams into a single digital data stream, and    providing said single digital data stream to a single combiner for generating therefrom digital data signals associated with said plurality of subchannels of said plurality of sectors.    
     
     
         8 . A method for transmitting data in a sectorized cell, comprising the steps of: 
 sectorizing a cell into plurality of sectors which accommodate a plurality of subchannels, respectively;    receiving digital data signals representative of subchannel data associated with said plurality of sectors;    providing said digital data signals to a single combiner for generating therefrom a single combined digital data signal;    selecting from said combined digital data signal said subchannel data associated with said respective plurality of sectors;    converting said subchannel data into a plurality of analog signals, and    amplifying said plurality of analog signals for emission.